8 Great Tips for Women Car Buyers

According to
industry statistics, women buy more than half of all cars, and
influence more than 85 percent of all vehicle purchases. As a woman,
you already know that many of the household purchase decisions are in
your hands, either by deciding or helping a loved one to decide.
Despite this, typically, women are viewed at a disadvantage during
negotiations – but if you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you can
arm yourself with the following tips!

Do your homework.The internet is full of information that you can use to your advantage when purchasing a new vehicle.

Not sure what you want?
You can use the Internet to research cars that will best fit your needs, budget and lifestyle.

Already know what you want?
Get information on the pricing! Finding out the invoice price (what the
dealer paid for the vehicle) and the sticker price (what the dealer
wants you to pay) will give you an idea of how much wiggle room you’ll
have when talking to a salesperson.

Research a dealer’s website before you visit. Find out whether they
have the vehicle you want on the lot. You can also get a great feel for
the dealership itself by reviewing its virtual lot.

Looking to trade?
Run your vehicle through the NADA Guides (or another
online trade appraisal guide) to get an idea of its value. When doing
this, be honest about the condition of your vehicle – this is your key
to getting a fair value for your trade-in.

Know your situation.Call your bank or credit union and find out what they can do
for you for financing. Get a copy of your credit bureau and find out
what your score is. Having these financial aspects already on your mind
is helpful when you get ready to finance your vehicle.

Ask for recommendations.Ask friends, family and co-workers whether they were satisfied
when they bought their last vehicle. This can give you a key to which
dealerships are worth your time and which are not.

Find a dealership that you are comfortable with.Take a walk through the service and parts departments of the
dealership you’re considering purchasing from, as well as the customer
areas and showroom. The actual purchase of the vehicle is a small
segment of the vehicle’s life – chances are that you’ll spend much more
time in the customer areas for service and parts!

Don’t be afraid to shop around.
One of the most frustrating aspects of being a female car shopper is
when a salesperson spends more time addressing the male friend or
family member you brought with you. Similarly, if you are harassed or
demeaned by a salesperson, whether directly or not, don’t put up with
the behavior. You have the right to ask to speak to a manager and
request another salesperson. If this fails, or if this isn’t an option,
find another dealership!

Know what you want – and what you want to spend.Each new vehicle on the market today comes with a dizzying array of add-ons.

Options and PackagesThese options are a great way to get exactly what you want on
a vehicle, but will sometimes add to the purchase price of the vehicle.
Know what features you really want, and don’t be afraid to decline on
the ones you don’t.

Be involved.If you’re trading in a vehicle, ask your salesperson (or the
person performing the appraisal) to do a walk-around with you. During
this, they will point out any issues they see with your trade
(including rust, scratches, spots in the paint, etc.) If you’re given a
quote for your trade that is vastly different from the value you found
through Kelly Blue Book (or another online appraisal guide), it will
give you an opening to ask how the figure was arrived at.

Don’t feel pressured to purchase on the spot.Frequently, if you finance your purchase through the dealer,
they will offer extended warranties, as well as add-on protection
plans. Ask how long you have to make a decision for these plans. Many
of these plans can be purchased through the dealer up to thirty days
after you purchase your vehicle. Take home the paperwork and consider
whether this plan will be worth it to you.

If you keep these tips in mind, your next car buying experience should be a breeze. Good luck!

Heather Conary is a founding partner of Illumination Design Creative
Services, based out of Orrington, Maine. She also works at Downeast
Toyota-Scion-Buick in Brewer, Maine, serving as a creative consultant
to the management team.

Heather is currently attending the
University of Maine’s Orono campus, working towards a Bachelors degree
in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She also
plans to continue, and obtain her MBA.

Heather has published
articles in AutoSuccess Magazine, an automotive trade publication, as
well as online at SitePoint and SEOChat. These articles demonstrate
her knowledge of both the automotive industry and of marketing tactics
and design strategies.